Report: R.I. second in nation for preventative health care

RHODE ISLAND RANKED AMONG THE top 10 states for having a dedicated health provider in the United Health Foundation's spotlight report on preventative health care. It ranked fourth. / COURTESY UNITED HEALTH FOUNDATION
RHODE ISLAND RANKED AMONG THE top 10 states for having a dedicated health provider in the United Health Foundation's spotlight report on preventative health care. It ranked fourth. / COURTESY UNITED HEALTH FOUNDATION

PROVIDENCE – Rhode Island ranked second in the United Health Foundation’s spotlight report on preventative health care, earning high marks for the percentage of the population with health care coverage and a dedicated health care provider.
“The objective of this spotlight is to drive awareness and understanding about the roles of key clinical preventive services and interventions — access to health care, immunizations and chronic disease prevention — in improving the health of individuals and our communities,” the report states.
The foundation, which partnered with the American College of Preventive Medicine to create the report, took a look at issues related to care to compile its findings, and Rhode Island often placed among the top five states in various categories, including specific immunizations and dental visits.
Massachusetts ranked first in the nation for preventative health care. In the Bay State, 95 percent of the population has health insurance, compared with 92 percent in Rhode Island, ranking it fifth best. The national average is 87.6 percent.
Massachusetts also led the nation for its percentage of the population with a dedicated health care provider at 89.3. Rhode Island’s rate was 86.3, putting it in fourth place. The national average is 76.7 percent.
Rhode Island was first for its rate of HPV vaccinations for adolescent males, at 42.9 percent. It was second in the nation at 53.7 percent for its HPV vaccination rate for adolescent females.
Rhode Island had the third-highest rate of influenza vaccines at 46 percent, compared with the 40.4 percent national average.
The Ocean State also was among the top five states for dental visits, coming in fifth for its 72.1 percent rate. It also placed third in categories of cholesterol check and colorectal cancer screening for its respective rates of 81.9 percent and 74.8 percent.

Mississippi was last on the list; the foundation said Mississippi had the most room for improvement when all three categories were combined.
The report also found that nationwide, a lower percentage of Hispanic adults report having a dedicated health care provider, 59.2 percent, compared with non-Hispanic white, 82.1 percent, and non-Hispanic black, 76.5 percent, adults. A lower percentage of Hispanic adults also receive colorectal cancer screenings and cholesterol screenings.
And, it said adults with higher levels of education and income receive a greater percentage of recommended screenings than adults with lower levels of education and income. Adults making at least $75,000 annually receive recommended screenings at a higher percentage than adults with incomes less than $25,000 per year, it said.
“We have a strong and growing body of clinical evidence pointing to the fact that preventive services and interventions work to improve people’s health and well-being, all while lowering overall health care system costs,” Dr. Daniel S. Blumenthal, president of the American College of Preventive Medicine, said in a statement.
Data from the Centers for Disease Control was used for the report.

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